1st MPP Placement: Geneva and MPP Laura Smith

For my government placement, I had the distinct pleasure of working with MPP Laura Smith of Thornhill. MPP Smith is the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the First Vice-Chair for the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, and is a Member of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. One of the most valuable aspects of working with MPP Smith was observing her deep engagement within the Thornhill community and her consistent consultation with constituents and integration of their concerns directly into policymaking.

During my placement, I had the opportunity to write countless members’ statements, speeches, and remarks spanning a wide range of policy and constituent matters. I welcomed many constituents to Queen’s Park and engaged in key stakeholder meetings to facilitate meaningful dialogue between constituents and the legislative process. Further, I had the unique opportunity of working on two Private Members’ Bills (PMBs). Each PMB was at a different stage of the legislative process, allowing me to gain valuable insight into the policy, strategic, and communicative dimensions of PMB development.

Having grown up near the constituency and spending many years participating in extracurricular activities in Thornhill, experiencing the community through the constituency office provided a new and meaningful understanding of the area. My time in the constituency provided firsthand insight into the issues and interests of the Thornhill community, which informed my contributions to the bi-weekly Thornhill newsletter, which provides a summary of key policies and events that impact local residents. I had the opportunity to engage with members of the community by attending conferences, events, and visiting local businesses alongside MPP Smith. Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of how MPPs balance their legislative and constituency responsibilities, and how these functions interest and complement each other.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to MPP Smith for your guidance, support, and for graciously welcoming me to your team. Thank you for providing an exceptional learning experience. I would also like to extend a big thank you to Chelsea, Izzy, Micah, and the entire team for making me feel so welcome and for being such a positive part of my experience. Thank you for supporting OLIP!